New President Brings New Vision/Leadership to the Pioneers
On September 29, 2011 the St. Francis de Sales board of directors and the Office of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Chicago, announced that Ray Nedohon has been named the next president of St. Francis de Sales. Nedohon brings nearly twenty years of experience to the position, having served in senior leadership roles with numerous local and national nonprofits since 1995. Most recently, Nedohon served as executive director of The Metro Foundation, a non-profit that provides infectious disease-related education and outreach domestically and abroad.
The high school's new president expressed his excitement about the position and the school's continued focus on providing an outstanding education based in the Catholic faith.
"I'm really honored to have this opportunity to serve the students, parents, alumni and other stakeholders here at St. Francis. In addition to increasing our development and alumni relations efforts, I'm looking forward to growing and enhancing the Catholic identity and culture at the school,” Nedohon said. “We have an outstanding school led by a proven and dedicated staff and supported by loyal families who know the value of a de Sales education.”
In his role as school president, Nedohon will look to increase enrollment, as well as expand the financial resources supporting the school. He will also work on addressing capital improvements for the school and growing the school's governing board both in size and scope.
A resident of Northwest Indiana, Nedohon is married and has two children. He and his wife, Jesse, are members of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Crown Point, where Nedohon has been the youth ministry director since 2007. A New York native, Nedohon has served in senior development roles in national organizations that include Jumpstart, an early childhood literacy organization, and City of Hope Cancer Center.
On a volunteer basis, Nedohon has served on the board of the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Chicago (YNPN Chicago) as well as on the Advisory Board of the Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management at North Park University. He has additionally served in other volunteer capacities with organizations that include the American Cancer Society, Best Buddies and the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.
St. Francis de Sales is a Catholic, co-educational high school located on Chicago's Southeast Side. Established in 1958, the school anchors the city's Eastside, Hegewisch and South Chicago neighborhoods. It draws students from several Chicago neighborhoods, as well as the South Suburbs and Northwest Indiana.